Military Afloat Prepositioning: Wartime Use and Issues for the Future
NSIAD-93-39
Published: Nov 04, 1992. Publicly Released: Nov 09, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) Mobility Requirements Study, focusing on: (1) the use of afloat prepositioning during the Persian Gulf War; (2) post-war improvements in afloat prepositioning; and (3) issues related to expansion of afloat prepositioning.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | As DOD continues planning for the expansion of afloat prepositioning, the Secretary of Defense should determine whether: (1) additional land prepositioning could reduce afloat prepositioning requirements; (2) prepositioning sites for the additional ships will be available; (3) the plan represents the best mix of owning and chartering the ships; and (4) the Army has plans and resources for providing and maintaining the additional prepositioned equipment. |
DOD has relied increasingly on prepositioned stocks of military equipment and supplies stored on ships and on land in various regions of the world to respond rapidly to developing conflicts. GAO has reported on a number of long-standing problems with prepositioned stocks programs, including unreliable requirements determinations, inadequate oversight efforts, and inefficient inventory management practices. GAO is currently reviewing this activity. Key questions: (1) What is the status of current inventory levels, maintenance conditions, and reconstitution of prepositioned stocks? (2) What are the contributing factors to long-standing problems with prepositioned stocks and how can they be addressed?
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Topics
Combat readinessDefense capabilitiesDefense contingency planningInventory control systemsLogisticsMarine transportationMilitary inventoriesMilitary vesselsMobilizationStrategic mobility forces